Archives

On Wednesday, October 25 ,7:30 pm Dr. Pat Fosarelli will give a free public lecture titled “Bouncing Back or Staying Down? Stress, Resiliency & Spirituality.” Her talk will explore the practical science behind stress and the ways that emotional health and spirituality can increase the likelihood of resilience.

Workshop for those in Ministry

Ministry leaders are invited to attend a workshop led by Dr. Fosarelli on Thursday, October 26, 9:00 am – 12 noon. The workshop, “On Fire or Burned Out?” will be an interactive discussion examining the ways both lay and ordained ministry leaders can gain greater resiliency, even in the midst of personal, staff, or congregational stress. Participants can receive .25 CEUs. Cost for workshop registration is $20. Click here to register.

*Both events are made possible by a Science & Technology Grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

Archbishop William Lori, Chair of the St. Mary’s Seminary & University Board and Chancellor of the University, celebrated the opening Mass on August 30th, 2017. All new seminarians and faculty members signed the Covenant Book after the Liturgy of the Word signifying their commitment to the St. Mary’s community of faith, to formation for the priesthood.

St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute is pleased to welcome Dr. Rebecca Hancock as our new Coordinator of Communications, Operations, and Student Services. Dr. Hancock is well known to students and faculty, having served here as an instructor in Old Testament for 7 years. With a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary and a Ph. D. from Harvard University, Dr. Hancock brings a wealth of experience in theological education. While she will continue serving as a part-time instructor in the EI, the new position will allow her to invest even more fully in theological formation.

Dean Brent Laytham said “Dr. Hancock has come into a newly reshaped position with increased responsibilities, and she is already defining it with creativity and excellence.”

Deacon Ian McElrath welcomes new seminarian, John Enemuo, with a blessing.

Fr. Phillip Brown, P.S.S., President-Rector, the Faculty and St. Mary’s Seminary & University Seminarians welcomed 15 men to formation at America’s first Roman Catholic Seminary on August 22nd This year’s incoming class includes men from the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Dioceses of Albany, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Scranton, Syracuse, Richmond, Wilmington, Worcester and Missions Etrangères de Paris as well as one priest from the Archdiocese of Lusaka, Zambia who is studying for his S.T.L. degree. The Introduction to Seminary Life program concludes with a retreat for the entire community and Mass of the Holy Spirit which will be celebrated by Most Rev. William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore. Classes begin on August 31st.

On Thursday, May 11th, St. Mary’s Seminary & University conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree on the Rev. Dr. Christopher M. Leighton, a leader of interreligious engagement for over 30 years in Baltimore. Dr. Leighton, the founding Executive Director of the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies, gave the commencement address. Archbishop William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore and Chancellor of the University, presided over the ceremonies where 13 seminarians received both Ecclesiastical and Civil degrees and 11 graduates of The Ecumenical Institute of Theology received either the Masters of Arts in Theology or the Master of Arts in Church Ministries.

Dr. Leighton’s commencement address compared a pivotal moment in Moses’s life to graduation. Moses went up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, only to come back down and drop them when faced with rampant idol worship. Leighton remarked “You have climbed theological peaks and been bequeathed with an awesome educational gift. Walk boldly and pay attention to where you put your feet. From time to time you may lose your balance and your grip. It happens. Make sure to stop, look down, and accept a helping hand as you retrieve the sacred bits and pieces at your feet. These fragments need to be gathered up, assembled and reassembled, passed on and shared with those who hunger, with those who are desperate for shelter, and with those who yearn for a place to call home.”

St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute will hold its 3rd Annual Alumni Day on Saturday, September 30, 8:30 am – 1 pm. Beginning with a prayer service and ending with lunch, the event will include a presentation by Rev. Dennis Edwards, PhD. A member of the EI faculty from 2006 through 2012, Dr. Edwards was back on campus this summer as one of the instructors for the EI’s DMin course. Many may well remember him as a dynamic and engaging Hebrew Bible professor. Dr. Edwards is currently Senior Pastor of Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, MN. Alumni Day is sponsored by the EI Alumni Council.

Former trustees and benefactors of St. Mary’s Seminary hosted a concert in honor of Fr. Phillip Brown’s inaugural year as President Rector. Over 200 guests enjoyed the concert and a reception on April 6th. Daniel Roth is widely acclaimed as one of the leading French organ virtuosos. He is currently the Titular Organist at the Church of St. Sulpice in Paris where the Society of St. Sulpice was founded in 1641.

An Ecumenical Institute student was among the first to participate in an intensive course offered by the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum Institute in Washington, DC. Master of Arts in Theology candidate Michelle Rader is among those featured in this video. Ecumenical Institute students interested in a similar opportunity for Fall 2017 have until May 14 to apply.

St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute congratulates three long-serving colleagues who will enter retirement this summer.

Zenaida Bench, Assistant to the Dean, Admissions & Academic Services, will retire after 23 years of service. For nearly half of the EI’s existence, Zenaida has been at its center, ensuring that each new cohort of students can enjoy the journey of faith seeking understanding. An EI alum (MAT ’93, CAS ’11), she has used her theological education joyfully in the ministry of administration.

In addition, two long-serving EI faculty members will enter retirement. Dr. Art Thomas began teaching in the EI in 1996, teaching courses in spirituality. Dr. Thomas is retiring from full time ministry in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, and will be moving to Richmond. Dr. Brian Berry began teaching in the EI in 1998, teaching moral and systematic theology. He is a permanent Dunning Distinguished Lecturer. Brian is retiring from full time teaching at Notre Dame University of Maryland and will be moving to Ohio along with his wife Susanne.

Together, these colleagues have a combined 63 years of service to the EI. We are grateful for their commitment to our mission and generosity with our constituents, knowing that we would not have been as strong a school without them. Each will be celebrated at the annual graduation dinner.

On Wednesday, March 22, 2017, eleven seminarians from the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Dioceses of Altoona –Johnstown, Erie, Richmond, Scranton, Wilmington and Worcester were installed in the Ministry of Lector. Eleven seminarians from the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Dioceses of Albany, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Syracuse, Wilmington and Worcester were installed in the Ministry of Acolyte. Bishop Ronald Gainer of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania presided.

Lectors proclaim the Scriptures at liturgical celebrations and serve as catechists; acolytes serve at Eucharistic celebrations and bring the Eucharist to the sick.

Founded in 1791, St. Mary's Seminary & University is the first Catholic seminary established in the United States. For over two hundred years, St. Mary’s has been owned and operated by the Sulpician Fathers, a community of diocesan priests dedicated to the formation of priests.